Prayers in Time of Terrorism and War
Dear Friends,
In these anxious times of terrorism and war we turn to God to calm our fears and to pray for peace and justice. The Episcopal Church at Princeton University would like to offer these prayers from the Christian tradition to people of all faiths in the hope that they may be a source of comfort and spiritual clarity. May the peace of Christ be always with you and with our broken world.
All prayers are from the Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer unless otherwise noted.
For the Human Family
O God, you made us in your own image: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer attributed to St. Francis
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
In Times of Conflict
O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Guidance
From "Thoughts in Solitude" by Thomas Merton, Monk of Gethsemene Abbey, Kentucky, d. 1968
O God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will always lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. There fore, I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
For Guidance
Adapted from a prayer for his fellow prisoners by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German Lutheran pastor killed by the Nazis in 1945
O, God, help us to pray and concentrate our thoughts on you. We cannot do this alone. In us there is darkness, but in you there is light. We are lonely, but you leave us not. We are feeble in heart, but with you there is peace. In us there is bitterness, but with you there is patience. We do not understand your ways, but you know the way for us. Help us, O God. Amen.
For our Enemies
O God, the Father of all, you command us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth: deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Our Leaders and Our Nation
O God our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth. Lord, keep this nation under your care. Amen.
For those in the Armed Forces of our Country
O God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For those who Influence Public Opinion
O God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may do their part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and its will righteous; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Diversity of Races and Cultures
O God, who created all peoples in your image, we thank you for the wonderful diversity of races and cultures in this world. Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship, and show us your presence in those who differ most from us, until our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer in Terrible Times
From "Rediscovering New Testament Prayer" by John Koenig
We give thanks to you, O God, even for this terrible time, but only because we trust that you are in it, working for the good of us all and sanctifying to us our deepest distress. Amen.
Night Prayers
Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, O God; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.
Jesus said: "This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil."
You may find the following resources helpful as well. Let's all pray for peace and justice, and let's not stop until war ceases everywhere.
